04 September 2017

OSCE PA President Muttonen denounces North Korean nuclear test, reiterates need for multilateral diplomacy

COPENHAGEN, 4 September 2017 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Christine Muttonen (Austria) has denounced the latest nuclear test in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – the sixth carried out by Pyongyang since 2006 – and reiterated the need to de-escalate tensions, promote stability and prioritize nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.

“North Korea’s nuclear test carried out over the weekend must be unequivocally denounced as a reckless and destabilizing act in blatant violation of international norms,” President Muttonen said. “I urge the leaders of North Korea to abandon their provocative moves which endanger not only millions of people on the Korean Peninsula but the world as a whole.”

She added: “The international community speaks with one voice in rejecting North Korea’s destabilizing actions and the OSCE PA stands ready to support any UN Security Council resolution condemning this latest nuclear test. I further note that ongoing tensions between Washington and Pyongyang underline the urgent need for renewed diplomacy. We cannot allow saber-rattling and nuclear brinkmanship to replace the hard work of negotiations and compromise.”

25 August 2017

In Astana, OSCE PA President Muttonen highlights nuclear disarmament as an international priority

President Christine Muttonen addresses Pugwash Conference in Astana on 25 August 2017ASTANA, 25 August 2017 – Building a common security system for the OSCE area based on trust and co-operation is incompatible with national security strategies based on nuclear deterrence, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Christine Muttonen said today at the 62nd Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs in Astana, Kazakhstan.

In order to advance comprehensive security, she said, nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament must be high on the international agenda. Referring to recently heightened tensions between nuclear powers, she regretted that these weapons continue to be brandished and that some governments will not even agree to pledge no-first-use policies.

“We see a disconnect between what most of the world wants and the policies that a handful of nuclear powers are pursuing,” Muttonen said. She noted that at its recent Annual Session in Minsk, the OSCE PA welcomed the treaty agreed to in New York last month by 122 countries to establish an international ban against the possession, acquisition, or deployment of nuclear weapons.

17 August 2017

OSCE PA leaders condemn Barcelona attack, stress need for countering violent extremism in all its forms

COPENHAGEN, 17 August 2017 – OSCE Parliamentary President Christine Muttonen (Austria), Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism Chair Makis Voridis (Greece) and human rights committee Chair Nacho Sanchez Amor (Spain) condemned today the attack in Barcelona, Spain, which is being treated by the authorities as terrorism. At least 13 people were killed and 50 seriously injured when a van plowed into pedestrians in the city’s historic Las Ramblas district.

“I condemn in the strongest terms today’s horrible act of violence carried out against tourists and residents in Barcelona, and my heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the victims and to all the people of Spain,” President Muttonen said. “I wish the injured a speedy and full recovery, as well as comfort to the loved ones of the deceased.”

Voridis stressed that extremist violence has no justification and must be countered in all its forms.

21 July 2017

OSCE PA’s Sanchez Amor concerned at ‘assault on judicial independence’ in Poland, calls for reversal of recent steps

Ignacio Sanchez Amor at the OSCE PA's Annual Session in Minsk, 5 July 2017COPENHAGEN, 21 July 2017 – The Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s human rights committee, Spanish parliamentarian Ignacio Sanchez Amor, today expressed deep concern at recent actions taken by the ruling party in Poland related to reforming the judiciary.

“It is hard to see the recent actions as anything other than a dedicated assault on judicial independence by Poland’s current governing party,” said Sanchez Amor. “Serious damage has already been done to Poland’s reputation with these steps, but I call on President Andrzej Duda to reject the legislation and thereby avert lasting damage to the rule of law in the country.”

Last week parliament endorsed legislation that enables the parliament to choose the body that oversees the selection of judges, and which is supposed to ensure the independence of the judiciary. Legislation was also passed that enables the Justice Minister to dismiss and appoint chief justices.

20 July 2017

Marking one year since Turkey’s state of emergency, OSCE PA human rights committee leaders urge respect for rule of law

Ivana Dobesova, Ignacio Sanchez Amor and Kyriakos Kyriakou-Hadjiyianni at the Annual Session in Minsk, 8 July 2017COPENHAGEN, 20 July 2017 – The three officers of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions – Chair Ignacio Sanchez Amor (Spain), Vice-Chair Ivana Dobesova (Czech Republic) and Rapporteur Kyriakos Kyriakou-Hadjiyianni (Cyprus) – today issued the following statement regarding the one-year anniversary of Turkey’s state of emergency:

“Today it has been one year since the Turkish government implemented a state of emergency following the 15 July 2016 failed coup. While reiterating our solidarity with Turkey and condemning once again the coup attempt last summer, we stress that the extraordinary measures provided by the state of emergency must be used appropriately and proportionately. The dismissals of thousands of public servants from their jobs and the lack of clear legal procedures to safeguard individual rights pose a threat to social cohesion and fundamental freedoms, and we stress that the rule of law must be upheld even in exceptional circumstances.

“We urge the government to take steps to bring the state of emergency to an end at the earliest opportunity.”